Racecards
16:40 Chester
Alexander Events Handicap (Class 3)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 1m 2f 75y
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- Form 615-603
- Age 3
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 86
in touch, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
- Form 531-12
- Age 3
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 86
- Trainer W J Haggas
- Jockey Michael Hills
soon prominent, pushed along 3f out, switched right and ridden over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, ran on well
- Form 5-611
- Age 3
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 83
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey Kerrin McEvoy
held up, headway 4f out, not much room and outpaced over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
- Form 214402
- Age 3
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 83
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey T P O'Shea
led and hung right throughout, ridden over 1f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong
O'Tara (IRE)
16- Form 2-3221
- Age 3
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 80
- Trainer M H Tompkins
- Jockey P Fessey
prominent and keen, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken
Categorical
13- Form 13-0630
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer K G Reveley
- Jockey T Eaves
steadied start, always in rear
- Form 3692-60
- Age 3
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 78
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
The three to concentrate on here should be Heaven Knows, Strawberry Lolly and O'Tara and we will take a chance with the first named. The William Haggas-trained colt chased home the smart Count Trevisio back in June. It is a slight concern that he hasn't raced since, but that may have been due to the fast ground during the summer. He has raced mainly on a soft surface, and if fit following his lay off, he should go well off his current mark. Strawberry Lolly is chasing a hat-trick following two impressive victories on the all-weather. If she can transfer that form to the Turf she will prove hard to beat. O'Tara gained a deserved victory at Pontefract last time, beating the 85-rated Alhaitham with the third well beaten off. A similar effort today should see him involved in the finish. Tawaafud is another expected to go well, but Heaven Knows has the strongest form on show and must go close if fully wound up.
Formwatch
Punta Galera (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, not trouble winner, lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Acrobatic (8-10) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Jul.
Heaven Knows 11-8fav (9-0) In touch on inside, headway 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on under pressure towards finish, held by winner, 2nd of 7, nk behind Count Trevisio (9-7) at Sandown 1m 1f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jun.
Strawberry Lolly 11-4fav (8-8) Took keen hold early, tracked leader, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Kempton 1m 2f app hcp (4) pol beating Katchit (8-13) by 3l, 11 ran.
Bin Rahy (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Led, ridden 2f out, staying on until headed well inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 6, hd behind Luna Landing (8-11) at Pontefract 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul.
O'Tara (IRE) 2-1 (9-3) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, carried right and edged right from over 1f out, ran on to lead close home, won at Pontefract 1m mdn stk (5) gf beating Alhaitham (9-3) by a hd, 7 ran.
Categorical 22-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, lost place over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 16, 17l behind Traytonic (9-8) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Tawaafud 4-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Luna Landing (8-11) at Pontefract 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Charlie Tokyo (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, 11th straight, staying on when badly hampered 2f out, not recover, 10th of 15, 7l behind Stage Gift (9-7) at Epsom 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.